My husband and I are leaving for Rome on Feb 1, 2002. WE have 7 days. We would love to know about what side trips we can take especially if its doable to go to Florance for a day. We certainly will do all the top picks already mentioned in this forum ((just love this forum )We are also interested in Italian Rennasance (sp) ceremics. Is Deruta the place to go? Any other great ceramic stores?<BR><BR>Nina

Hi<BR>You may find, as I recently did, that there is so much to Rome the first time, that you decide not to do any daytrips.<BR>However, the one I wanted to do, and will do next time, is to Pompeii.<BR>Some newly-uncovered (risque) mosaics have just been opened to the public.<BR>For train schedules, such as between Rome and Florence (Roma and Firenze), take a look at fs-on-line.com<BR>I have a long file on Rome, with some daytrip info that I compiled; if you'd like to see it, email me.

I, too, was planning a day trip out of Rome while I was there recently for a week. But I couldn't pull myself out of Rome - there was simply too much to see there. Next time, I hope to check out the interesting places outside of the city.

Good afternoon, Nina<BR>Here are a couple day trips out of Rome.<BR>1.To Florence by rail, north about 1 1/2 hours.<BR>2.To Assisi by rail and bus, north about<BR>2 hours with a change of trains normally.<BR>3. To Orvieto by rail, north about one<BR>hour..<BR>4. Tivoli and Villa D'Este about 20 mins<BR>east of Rome by rail.<BR>5. Pompeii, south about three hours with<BR>a change of trains in Naples.<BR>6. Capri, south about four hours with<BR>arrival in Naples, take taxi to docks<BR>and Ferry to Capri..<BR>All of these trips are also done by<BR>the Rome tour operators, escorted with<BR>bus travel, etc., included.<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

yoou might consider tivali the town is small and worth seeing but the main attraction is hadrians villa and gardens. a short bus ride perhaps1/2 hour or less.

I would recommend a trip to the excavations at Ostia (Ostia Antica). It is on the coast only 1/2 hour from Rome by train or even by taxi. It is an old Roman seaport that rivals Pompeii in antiquity and interest. Check it out.

I have not been to Deruta but can tell you that Deruta ceramics can be found aplenty in Orvieto and Assisi which are much more interesting places to visit.<BR><BR>I agree with others that there is so much to do in Rome and the list above offers so many options, with Pompeii or Orvieto or Tivoli, that I wouldn't try to go to Florence unless you simply must see Michaelangelo's David. But then, I much prefer Rome over Florence.

Thanks for all the info. But does anyone have info on whether I can take a train to Deruta from Rome in a day? I just have to see all the beautiful ceramics. I leave on February 1.<BR><BR>nina

I loved the ceramics in Orvieto. I only bought a few things but wish I bought more. <BR><BR>Enjoy your trip.

Elaine,<BR><BR>Would you be so kind as to email me your Rome file? I will be there this May and would love to see it. I'm also interested in taking some side trips from Rome. Thanks in advance!

Nina,<BR><BR>I can recommend a company called Odyssey Tours who give tours in Rome and the surrounding areas including Florence. Their address is www.odyssey-tours.com. Their guides are very friendly and knowledgeable and their tours are very reasonably priced.<BR><BR>Natalie